Help wanted? T.O. asks for job application

Braylon Edwards’ release Tuesday has fueled speculation that the 49ers will fill his roster spot with another wide receiver. Could that mean Terrell Owens’ returns to his original club, a franchise he pleaded to leave after the 2004 season?

Owens hasn’t played this season while recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament. No NFL teams showed up at his televised workout two months ago at Calabasas High. But he wants back into 4949 Centennial Blvd.

Whitner’s response to T.O. on Twitter: ” I know u are! And I’m ready to Vouch for…and let everyone kno how GREAT of a teamate u were in buffalo!”

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Would the 49ers dare welcome in a 38-year-old receiver coming off a serious knee injury, not to mention his inate ability to serve as a distraction more than any other player in NFL history? Well, I was stunned they brought in Braylon Edwards five months ago, so you never know, but I highly doubt Owens would be invited back here.

To Owens’ credit, he’s caught 153 touchdown passes since debuting with the 49ers in 1996. He was dealt from the 49ers to the Eagles (via the Ravens) in 2004. After two seasons in Philly (and his lone Super Bowl appearance), Owens played from 2006-08 in Dallas, 2009 in Buffalo and last season in Cincy.

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The 49ers’ stable of big-play receivers bascially amounts to two guys: Vernon Davis and Michael Crabtree. They’ve combined for 24 receptions covering at least 20 yards. Edwards only had three such receptions, the same amount as Joshua Morgan, who was lost for the season on Oct. 9. Others with receptions of at least 20 yards: Delanie Walker (2), Kendall Hunter (2), Ted Ginn (1), Kyle Williams (1), Bruce Miller (1).

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Kicker David Akers has been named the NFC’s Special Teams Player of the Week, an honor won last week by 49ers punter Andy Lee.

Akers received his sixth Pro Bowl invitation yesterday. He made four field goals Saturday, including the game-winner in a 19-17 victory at Seattle. His 42 field goals are a NFL record, passing Neil Rackers’ mark of 40 field goals with the 2005 Arizona Cardinals.

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Owens left after 2003 but he begged off for a couple of years before that. I don’t want them to bring Owens back but I guess anything could happen. I was shocked when they brought Charles Haley back back in 1998. His exit was even more bitter.

DieHard

Who are these 30+ options? Just name the top five. The 49ers have at MOST 3 games to play. Divisional round, championship game & Super Bowl. You tell me how many game changing wide receivers are available right now with playoff experience and knowledge of the West Coast Offense. He won’t have time to be a distraction. We are not talking about bringing him back for next year people, just for three frickin games at most.

Ceadderman

“there are 30+ better wr/te options than TO for the niners….”

Name ONE bullship. Just one.

I don’t like it any more than anyone else but the fact remains we’re headed into a situation where it’s 1 Loss and Done. I for one certainly do not want to play to the expectations of the rest of the league taking this team lightly.

I think if nothing else bring in all the available Receivers we can get to 4949 this week, kick their tires and find out which ones float. If Owens rises to the top as I expect he probably will, then I would go ahead and sign him based on what he can do and his knowledge of the WCO route tree.

Dude can block. We know this. He was instrumental in Garry Hearst’s 99 yd tear from scrimmage. In fact Hearst would probably have gotten gang tackled at the 20 and the way our Kicking game was going at that time there was no guarantee the ball goes through the uprights in that Jets game.

He can run slants. There are no cuts to be made on slants and go routes by design. His knee shouldn’t be an issue in those situations. The fact that he is dangerous after the catch will have Defenses respecting his game and covering him. This should open up lanes for Davis and Crabtree. This is something that Edwards was supposed to be able to do until his knee got jacked.

Owens also had knee surgery but it was during the Offseason. Where Bray’s was shortly after the Cowboys game. There is a world of difference in the two rehabs.

As long as he’s brought in knowing this is a Rushing team and backed up by Defense and that one mistake will be his last in the NFL, I don’t have a problem with signing him for a Playoff performance based contract.

He’s not gonna screw it up if he knows what’s good for him. You can roundfile any reference to the Scorpion and the Frog. This guy NEEDS to perform if he wants a contract to retire on next year. Teams will be eyeballing this extremely close to see how this works out. If he fails he’s DONE in the NFL.

Abe

A workout won’t hurt..

Mountain Jack

T.O. works harder than everyone else and has something to prove. Last season he gained over 1000 yards and scord 9 TD’s. We would have to be nuts not to bring him back. He’ll free up Crabtree and is a great blocker. It shouldn’t even be a question.

People forget how great a player he is and how horrible a life he had as a child growing up. He went from a small college to being a star with nobody to guide him. He learned the hard way. He’s a man now and will bring us a title. Let’s welcome him home so he can retire as a 49er wearing a Super Bowl Ring on his finger

MAC49

T.O. will never be welcomed back to the 49ers, how soon u forget MountainJack

John

He’s a 38 yr old receiver trying to come back from a torn acl. There is a reason NO nfl teams are interested in him. Only a few teams were willing to put up with his bs BEFORE he suffered a major injury. Owens can stay home and eat popcorn.

Big Sauce All Boss

RANDY MOSS!

Enzo

Just for the PLAYOFFS I have no problem taking T.O. As a matter of fact majority of the people believes it’ll open up the passing lanes for us.

FreeCell

T.O. == too old.

Yes Sir

BS= BOOM.
Put-up or?????????????????????????

Lance Newberry

They’ll never do it, but for three games he would be better than any other realistic option they have.

Who cares about a “distraction” for two or three games?

They backed themselves into this corner by not being more agressive when Morgan was hurt, and it’s coming back to haunt them in a big way now.

Teams rarely win playoff games with 10-play drives; they need players who can make BIG plays, and Vernon & Crabtree aren’t good enough for that, and expecting Ginn & Williams to step up so much is expecting a lot.

This is a BIG problem, and it’s been lurking all season to bite them.

OUCH!

http://bit.ly/uDNind Stuttering Jon

I agree with Mountain Jack. TO’s footage looks great and although he’s 38, he has a body that is God-like, even according to NFL standards. A Playoff performance based contract for someone with so much to prove, that happens to be an excellent athlete….not to mention he has reformed into a team player.

We have to start looking at the TO of he last 4 years, not TO from 10 years ago.

imasaint

Why do u need TO for one playoff game u guys will never learn !!!! SO SAD

Nukea$finest

Cant believe u people actually want TO back. After the way he did us theres no way I want him back. Besides the fact that he’s 38 and hasnt played a game this year hes a self absorbed jerk which is the reason the Niners got rid of Edwards.

Nick

I think it would be a great thing if T.O. comes back he is A nice guy has a big mouth some times but hell he is there to do one thing and that’s win! if he doesn’t win we don’t win.

mglt6710

Can’t believe that anyone with any sense of history wants that clown TO anywhere near this team. Or, for that matter, anyone that has followed this clown’s antics at every single team that he’s been a part of.

IMO, playoff time (with a whole lot of players that have been dreaming of this shot for many years) is an especially critical time for team chemistry, when team chemistry needs to be at its optimum. Infecting it with TO’s special brand of chemistry cancer is about the worst thing that could happen. The guy may be a great and gifted athlete, but keep in mind that, to date, not one single NFL team has been a taker. NOT because he isn’t in great shape, but because of all the other crap that he brings. That ought to tell us all something.

So, IMO, TO, keep it movin’, nothing to see here…

Dave Hart

I would give T.O. a workout. He was productive last season and knows his craft. At 38 he is a step slower but still has the big body and knows the WCO. In the Niners offense he would only be asked to play a dozen plays a game or so. And it’s not like they will be giving him a lot of money. If the sideshow stuff starts up, it’s adios. I think Owens was always misunderstood by the San Francisco writers. His history is mostly that of a hard working, good teammate. I know people will bring up the “Dallas star” incident. But heck, even Dallas forgave him for that. Give him a shot…

amanda hugankiss

I don’t give a damn who they bring in as a receiver as long as they keep winning. Hell if TO is better than a practice squad receiver pick him up. At least TO is a proven receiver compared to a practice squad receiver who has never done anything noteworthy.

al oha

T.O. should call up Braylon and watch the Niners in the Playoffs, together, over at his house. They can look at each other and commiserate, asking each other, why?

The T.O. that some of you are talking about was in the past. Now, you should be talking about a 38-year old receiver who is coming off of an ACL injury/surgery. It takes 1.5 years to get your full range of motion AND full confidence after an injury like that. And that’s not even talking about playing Pro Football. Add to that the fact that he can’t be in playing shape AND you run the risk of his EGO and SELFISHNESS being major Team distractions and Unity-busters, and you can see that it’s just not going to happen.

Not on any team that Jim Harbaugh is Coaching.

Let it go.

Eli

Yeah… I think it’s really a chemistry issue. Harbaugh wouldn’t risk it at this point in the season.

hapkidokid

“He won’t have time to be a distraction.”

That was funny, thanks.

49cents

Sunday will be a hard fought victory IF the Niners offense gets stuck in the red zone. Depending on how our healthy receivers will perform, my gut feeling is that TO will be signed — against Greenbay and NO.

I bet Harbaugh is mulling this idea, but as usual he will not commit, he will not tell.

I am not too savvy on this things– is there only one opening? Either Joe or TO? Delaney season is over if indeed his jaw was broken– then there is room for To and Joe—

There’s no shame in taking in TO — I still think Harbaugh should consider. Nothing to lose.

sledpunch

Surprised Harbaugh hasn’t invited Zeigler back. A consummate professional who Harbaugh lauded in pre-season. Maybe his injuries also caught up with him but dude runs great routes and keeps his mouth shut, unlike T.O.

Plus he fought like hell to be part of this team even after many stints on practice squad. T.O. fought to get out of here, doggin Garcia way he did.